Wenger plays down talk of strengthening squad

LAST NIGHT’S FOUR-GOAL salvo against Portsmouth made Arsenal the Premier League’s leading scorers, despite the loss of star striker Robin van Persie to injury.

Arsenal were also without captain Cesc Fabregas but boss Arsene Wenger refused to confirm he would be strengthening his squad in January. He said: “Everybody tells us to buy strikers but we score goals and we believe our team play allows us to score.

“We look but we are not on any case. It depends on how the injuries come back. We have very good young players and we have to evaluate that as well.”

Regarding last night’s performance and his team’s title prospects, the Frenchman continued: “It was a very competitive game, we looked like a team that were ready for it.

“We’re up for it, the commitment is there and the talent is there. We’ll fight and this team is ready to give everything.”

Alex Song expects Arsenal to still be challenging for the title when he returns to the Emirates from the African Nations Cup.

The midfielder will link up with Cameroon ahead of the tournament in Angola next month having signed off with a goalscoring display.

Eduardo, Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey had all scored before Song nodded in a late fourth, with Nadir Belhadj netting a consolation for Portsmouth.

Song said: “We know Chelsea won (on Monday), that’s why it’s very good to come here and improve. We know when we play the way we did today, no-one can beat us. I’m confident when I go the team will continue to improve.”

Ramsey was equally impressed with Arsenal’s display but praised Portsmouth for their never-say-die approach.

“They’re in a relegation battle and it’s important to have that sort of attitude,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll continue that and get out of it. It was about the team tonight and we played well, passed it well and scored goals. Our confidence is very high at the moment, we’re going into every game thinking we can win it.”